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A Space to Call Home: CASA 


Bryan Place in Durham, NC provides 16 units of affordable housing. 

Over the last few years, Self-Help has been pleased to partner with a very special Raleigh, NC-based organization, CASA, whose mission is to provide affordable housing to communities experiencing homelessness. Since its founding more than 30 years ago, CASA has built its activities around a simple concept: the solution to homelessness is housing. CASA currently owns 53 properties, managing 546 units across the Triangle.

As CASA’s Director of Property Management, Latrise Hines, stated, “CASA serves the lowest income members of our community, which can include veterans, individuals and families that are fleeing domestic violence …those that are experiencing homelessness, those that are disabled… we aim to serve those who cannot access housing anywhere else the Triangle.”

CASA’s projects come to light through careful collaboration among many organizations, including multiple non-profit and civic groups, and by accessing municipal and other government funding sources. Self-Help’s role as lending partner helps secure the remaining funds needed to complete the projects.  

In 2023, Self-Help approved a $1,430,000 loan to CASA to fund the construction of Bryan Place, which provides 16 units of affordable housing aimed at people who earn significantly less than the Adjusted Median Income. The property is named in honor of Nancye Bryan, a former board member at CASA, who showed her steadfast dedication to CASA’s mission through her fundraising, advocacy and elbow grease.  

“The collaboration with Self-Help has been great,” explained Amanda Barbee, CASA’s Real Estate Developer, “not just because of the funding they provided, but also because of Self-Help's 'let's figure this out together' approach, which showed true partnership."

Ribbon Cutting at Bryan Place. Left to right: Troy Hershberger (NCHFA), Nancye Bryan (former CASA board member, for whom the project is named), Mayor Leonardo Williams (City of Durham mayor), Everett McElveen (CASA CEO).